
14.
While the scribes and Pharisees were waiting for His de-
cision, what did Jesus do? While they urged the matter upon Him,
what did He say to them? John 8:6, 7.
15.
How were the accusers affected by what Jesus wrote on the
ground? What did they then do? John 8:8, 9. '
NoTE.—"Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference, the accusers
drew nearer, urging the matter upon His attention. But as their eyes, follow-
ing those of Jesus, fell upon the pavement at His feet, their countenances
changed. There, traced before them, were the guilty secrets of their own lives.
The people looking on, saw the sudden change of expression, and pressed
forward to discover what it was that they were regarding with such astonish-
ment and shame.. .
"He had not set aside the law given through Moses, nor infringed upon
the authority of Rome. The accusers had been defeated. Now, their robe
of pretended holiness torn from them, they stood, guilty and condemned, in
the presence of Infinite Purity. They trembled lest the hidden iniquity of
their lives should be laid open to the multitude; and one by one, with bowed
heads and downcast eyes, they stole away, leaving their victim with the pity-
ing Saviour."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 461.
16.
When the woman was left alone with Jesus, what conversa-
tion followed? John 8:10, 11.
NoTE.—"In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live
a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect right-
eousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He
seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only
contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The Sinless
One pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her
a
helping hand.
While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce, Jesus bids her, 'Go, and sin no
more.'
"It is not Christ's follower that, with averted eyes, turns from the erring,
leaving them unhindered to pursue their downward course. Those who are
forward in accusing others, and zealous in bringing them to justice, are often
in their own lives more guilty than they. Men hate the sinner, while they
love the sin. Christ hates the sin, but loves the sinner. This will be the spirit
of all who follow Him. Christian love is slow to censure, quick to discern
penitence, ready to forgive, to encourage, to set the wanderer in the path of
holiness, and to stay his feet therein."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 462.
Lesson 13,
for December 28, 1946
The Light and Life of the World
LESSON SCRIPTURES: John 8:12, 29-59; Matthew 11:25-30; John 1:4, 9.
MEMORY VERSE: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light
of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light
of life." John 8:12.
STUDY HELP: "The Desire of Ages," pages 463-470, 328, 329.
The Light of Men
1. In speaking of Himself, what did Jesus say? What did He say
of those who follow Him? John 8:12.
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